Benefits of Sativa Dominant Hybrid Strains
What does the act of lighting up some good old Mary Jane make you think of? Is it relaxing on the couch and listening to your favorite Zeppelin album with your buddies, or is it going for a walk out in nature and enjoying all of the vibrant colors as you relish in a more uplifting high?
Perhaps you’d enjoy experiencing a combination of these feelings, in which case, trying out a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain like Jack Herer or Purple Unicorn might just change your smoking and toking life for the better.
Sativa-dominant hybrid strains are cannabis strains that have a higher percentage of Sativa genetics in comparison to Indica genetics. Sativa hybrid strains — as the name suggests — are typically bred by crossing a particular pure Sativa strain with an Indica strain. As you can imagine, this type of hybrid strain tends to have a high THC content (usually between 15 and 25%), and this factor has made Sativa-dominant strains especially potent and popular, both recreationally and medically. It’s worth noting that Sativa-dominant strains aren’t typically as potent as Indica strains, but we’ll delve into that a bit more later.
In this article, we’ll go over the benefits that come with smoking or vaping hybrid strains that are Sativa-dominant. We’ll also give you a few examples of Sativa-dominant hybrids you can try, just so you know what to ask for the next time you visit your local dispensary with our store locator.
What Is a Sativa Dominant Hybrid Strain?
Sativa dominant hybrid strains are known mood-boosters, which is why they often get prescribed to patients who are suffering from depression. While pure Indica strains and Indica dominant hybrids are likely to give you a “body high,” so to speak, Sativa dominant hybrids (as well as pure sativa strains) are much more likely to give you a “head high.”
Sativa dominant strains are for those who want a more cerebral, energizing high. This means that most people prefer to smoke sativa hybrid strains during the day, often switching to an indica strain at night so they can more effectively relax.
Sativa-dominant strains have also been known to enhance productivity and focus, which is why they tend to be pretty popular among smokers who have ADHD and other attention disorders. Some feel that smoking sativa dominant strains gives them creative inspiration, so if you’ve been feeling like your writer’s block has been getting you down lately, a good Sativa dominant hybrid might be exactly what you need to get back on track with writing your novel.
In terms of appearance, Sativa dominant strains tend to be taller and thinner — especially in comparison to Indica dominant hybrid strains. Their leaves are usually lighter in color, and tend to be more elongated, though this depends on the specific strain. THC levels in Sativa-dominant strains are usually quite high, though, most Sativa-dominant strains don’t contain as much THC as Indica-dominant strains do. This does not necessarily mean they’re less potent. It just means they’re potent in a different kind of way.
If you’ve never tried a Sativa-dominant strain before, you might want to take it easy before going all in and getting totally roasted. Some strains may be more potent than you might think!
What Are the Best Sativa Dominant Hybrid Strains?
For your convenience, we’ve created a list of what we believe to be the best Sativa-dominant hybrid strains on the market right now. You might recognize some of these strains — they’re classics, after all — but we’ve thrown in a couple of hidden gems for connoisseurs who are looking to try something a little different. Check them out!
Jack Herer
Everyone and their mother loves Jack Herer. This Sativa dominant hybrid has gained a lot of popularity in the cannabis community because of its remarkable effects. As you may already know, this particular strain was named after the one and only Jack Herer — a legendary cannabis-legalization activist from back in the day.
The effects of Jack Herer are unique. Most people say that this strain makes them feel clear-headed and happy, so it’s a great choice for smokers who want to be productive while also enjoying a good head high. Jack Herer may also enhance your creativity and focus, so we’d strongly recommend taking a hit or two before breaking out your painting kit.
Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland is a lovely sativa-dominant strain — perfect for elevating your mood and eliminating your stress after a long day of work. This strain has a sweet, flowery smell, and its effects can be best described as “euphoric.” After a few puffs, you’ll probably start to feel like you’re in Wonderland, yourself! Some people describe feeling light and floaty while smoking this strain, so if you’re struggling with stress or depression, we’d recommend giving it a try.
Lemon Cake
Doesn’t this strain just sound delicious? You really can’t go wrong with waking and baking with a little bit of lemon cake. This strain is sweet and zesty in flavor, so if you have a sweet tooth, we’d recommend it. Lemon cake is one of the more potent sativa dominant strains out there, as its THC content tends to range between 19 and 21%. It has an especially uplifting, energizing high, which makes it perfect for daytime activities like spending time outside with your friends.
A lot of smokers like to use Lemon Cake as a pick-me-up after they get home from work. It’ll provide you with the boost of energy you need to cook a delicious dinner for your friends or significant other — which is great because Lemon Cake has been known to cause “the munchies” in some users. This isn’t a bad thing, though, and hey, it’ll make dinnertime all the more enjoyable.
Purple Unicorn
If you’re looking to experience a long and happy high, Purple Unicorn might just be the sativa dominant strain for you. This highly potent strain was created by combining Chemdawg with Blackberry Widow. It boasts an impressively high THC content (25%), so you’re bound to feel some pretty powerful effects when you smoke it. It’s not for the faint of heart!
Purple Unicorn has a sweet, citrusy flavor, and its buds are particularly sticky and dense. When smoking this strain, you won’t be able to ignore its delightfully sweet aroma — and its high lasts for several hours, too, so you won’t have to keep hitting your bong or vape every twenty minutes.
Orange Bud
Orange Bud is an excellent choice for long-time cannabis connoisseurs and newbies alike. This hybrid dominant strain’s origins are fairly unknown, but research suggests that it’s a match made in Heaven between two powerful varieties of skunk weed. This is likely what gives it its delicious orangey smell and flavor.
Like Purple Unicorn, Orange Bud is popular because of its high THC content and super energetic high. For this reason, long-time cannabis users tend to favor this strain when it comes to picking out a Sativa hybrid for daytime use.
Sour Diesel
You’ve probably heard of this strain before. It’s incredibly popular and deserves a spot on this list. Its pungent aroma and earthy undertones make Sour Diesel special. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding your Sour Diesel smoking friend in a crowd! Despite its popularity, the true origins of Sour Diesel's parent strains remain a mystery. It’s generally believed that it was created by accident — with Chemdawg and an unknown Sativa strain being inadvertently combined.
The effects of Sour Diesel tend to be invigorating and uplifting, so it’s no surprise that a lot of cannabis users prefer to smoke it during the day. Writers, artists, and musicians love this one as well because it’s great for boosting creativity and inspiration.
Super Glue
Super glue is a particularly beloved Sativa dominant hybrid strain, mainly due to its potent effects and interesting taste. This strain is a cross between Afghani and Northern Lights, so you know it’s got to be good. The smell and taste of Super Glue are what makes it stand out from a lot of other hybrid strains that are Sativa-dominant. Users have mentioned picking up hints of both lime and pine, which sounds like quite the combination.
As far as effects go, Super Glue is mostly cerebral. In other words, it’ll improve your focus and drive your desire to create — which is a wonderful thing. Its THC levels range between 21 and 23%, so this strain packs a punch. While its effects are cerebral, smoking Super Glue can also be quite a relaxing experience, so we’d recommend giving this one a try in the evening after you get home from work.
HP13
The HP13 strain (also known as Hash Plant 13) is especially unique and intriguing as far as a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain goes. As you may have already suspected, HP13 was created by crossing Hash Plant with G-13. Although its THC content isn’t as high as some other Sativa-dominant strains, it’s sure to give you a delightful, happy sort of high for a long time after you smoke it. This one in particular will make your thoughts bounce off the walls of your brain in the best way possible. It’s great for those who want to be talkative and giggly while socializing with their friends!
HP13 is also highly regarded for its therapeutic properties. Creatives love it because it tends to be both mentally and physically stimulating. We’d highly recommend this strain to anyone who’s never tried a sativa dominant strain before, as you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a good experience.
Amnesia Haze
If it’s euphoria you’re after, you can’t go wrong with giving Amnesia Haze a try. This strain has a delicious, citrusy flavor, and a happy, energizing high that’s great for unwinding after a long day. Its aroma is reminiscent of fresh lemons and herbs. Your housemates might wonder if you’re baking something delicious when you’re smoking Amnesia Haze!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Strongest Sativa Hybrid Strain?
Sour Diesel certainly stands out as one of the strongest sativa hybrid strains out there. As we’ve already discussed, this strain is truly legendary. It’s excellent for those who enjoy a good wake and bake, and it’s quite potent (with a THC content of at least 25%).
There’s no denying that Sour Diesel is special, especially among sativa hybrid strains. If you’ve never tried this strain, we really can’t recommend it enough. It’s popular for a good reason!
What Are the Most Sativa Dominant Hybrid Strains?
When it comes to hybrid strains, the high can vary depending on if the hybrid is more sativa or indica dominant (which makes sense). As far as Sativa-dominant hybrid strains go, some strains are definitely more Sativa-dominant than others. Strains like Jack Herer, Sour Diesel, and Durban Poison are all good examples of sativa hybrids that are so sativa dominant they might as well be pure Sativa strains.
Typically, the more potent Sativa-dominant hybrid strains (like the strains mentioned above) will have high levels of THC and low levels of CBD. It’s worth mentioning, though, that everyone experiences the effects of cannabis in different ways.
If a strain is more Sativa dominant, it’s likely to make you feel more uplifted and creative, while a more Indica-dominant strain might make you feel quite relaxed and “couch-locked.” You won’t know how a particular strain is going to affect you until you try it, though. That’s all the more reason to hit up your local dispensary and try out a bunch of different Sativa-dominant strains to see what works best for you.